Muhammad Ibn Abdullah: good or bad? You decide Several centuries ago, a very important event in Muslim tradition occurred. Specifically, this occasion occurred in the late-mid 6th century. Around the year 570 AD, Muhammad ibn Abdullah was born in Mecca. Just six weeks before his birth, his father had died. He continued to live in Mecca where he was cared for by his adoptive mother; a Bedouin woman named Halimah. Unfortunately, she died when Mahomet was only six years old. He then went to live with his grandfather Abdul Muttalib, who also died two years later. Finally, he goes to live with his uncle Abu Talib, a trader. These tragic losses made him a very sensitive person who always emphasized the need to be especially kind to orphans, women and the weak in society. These are also some of the basic elements of the Islamic faith, which will eventually become the second largest religion (by number of followers) due to its beliefs and its founder, Muhammad ibn Abdullah. This religion, although very popular and growing rapidly, has proven to be imposed on people rather than allowing them to adopt the beliefs for themselves. When Muhammad was in his youth, religion meant many gods and goddesses who were often worshiped through trees and stones. Additionally, the tribal code encouraged the notion of muruwwa, manhood, which was the glorification of tribal chivalry. Female infanticide was also very common at this time. The society in which Muhammad lived was very unstable and on the verge of anarchy and disorder. This difficult period for him and many others was known as Jahiliyya, or the Age of Ignorance. Muhammad ibn Abdullah was a very unique and incredible man. He was not a mythological or semi-divine figure, but lived like others. He had such gentleness, compassion and piety, which would explain why to Muslims he is simply called insan-i-kamil; the perfect person. This is most clearly demonstrated in the year 610, when Muhammad was about forty years old. He had heard the voice of the angel Gabriel. He ordered him to recite certain divine verses from the Quran, which contain messages from God. It was then that the Quran was revealed and the world came to know Muhammad as the prophet of Islam. The Prophet was a very modest man, living like the people around him..